MURDER MYSTERIES IN THE ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE

Linda Mather

Welcome! I’m Linda, author of the Zodiac Murder Mysteries and the New Forest Murders, two murder mystery series with strong, complex characters inspired by real places.

Linda Mather wearing a leather jacket holding her latest book "the perfect house for murder" with the canal in the background.

‘A born storyteller.’

Judith Cutler, Birmingham’s Queen of Crime

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About the author
Paperback book and e-reader showing book cover which features an image of a horse in a field with the sun setting behind it and serif text that says 'death in the new forest'

COMING SOON

Death in the New Forest

When DCI Elinor Saxby transfers from her busy city force to the beautiful English New Forest, her new CID team suspect she is choosing a quiet life. If they’re right, she’s going to be disappointed as, within a week, she’s leading a murder inquiry.

Available Spring/Summer 2026.

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“Bad things happen in beautiful places.”

SIX MYSTERIES

The Zodiac Murder Mysteries

Jo Hughes is a reluctant PI with a passion for astrology — solving murders while trying to make her way as a professional astrologer in the Cotswolds and Midlands. Each book is aligned to a sign of the zodiac and can be read as a standalone story, though you'll want to read them all.

A sign for murder book cover, blue cover with sans serif text that says 'a sign for murder' with a shovel featured.
Forecast murder book cover, blue book cover with sans serif text that says 'Forecast murder' and a brass weather dial
Blue book cover with sans serif text ' the hanged man' featuring an image of rope.
Blue book cover with sans serif text 'murder as predicted' featuring an image of a compass
Blue book cover with sans serif text 'the perfect house for murder' and a illustrated drawing of a window with shutters.
Blue book cover with sans serif text 'a future murder' and a n image of a knife.

‘Jo Hughes is a wonderfully original sleuth.’

Biba Pearce, bestselling author of the DCI Rob Miller series

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Reader reviews

  • “This series is getting better as it goes. Book 3 kept me up all night and I find Jo a very relatable, sympathetic and realistic character. Please keep them coming!”

    — Laura via Amazon

  • "Enough twists in this mystery that you are rewarded with multiple surprises at the end."

    — Jen D via Amazon

  • "Loooooved this mystery... a fantastic read... interesting plot lines that kept you guessing until the end."

    — J Campbell via Amazon

  • "I liked the characters and the astrology slant was an interesting twist."

    — Shirley S via Amazon

  • "I enjoyed it very much — murder mystery, revenge, great plot twist and red herrings throughout."

    — Jenn C via Amazon

  • "The suspense builds up really well and I enjoyed the astrological slant to the story. Jo is a very real and relatable character and I absolutely love her will-they-won’t-they relationship with Macy. More please!!”

    — A. Francis via Amazon

ABOUT LINDA

“In a murder mystery, death in a way sparks life, curiosity and story”

Linda Mather wearing a leather jacket and jeans stood against a red brick wall smiling at the camera.

Everyone has secrets and we are fascinated by them. I still see myself as a kid, eavesdropping on the grown-ups and trying to make sense of life. For me, crime fiction is about solving, or trying to resolve, loss. Murder is a serious subject, but in a crime story it's handled in a safe, structured and sometimes even playful way, while still exploring big life questions.

Beyond the books, I mentor emerging authors, run writing retreats, am president of the UK/EU Chapter of Sisters in Crime and an active member of the Crime Writers Association. I also love writing short stories and was longlisted for the Margery Allingham prize in 2025.

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